Power Boiler Basics

The purpose of a power boiler is to create steam by applying heat energy to water. The steam produced by the power boiler can be transferred through piping to a number of applications throughout industrial facilities. This module describes the purpose, design, operation, and key components of a power boiler.

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Course Details

Learning Objectives

• Identify and describe the safety hazards and safe work practices associated with power boilers • Describe the purpose of a power boiler • Describe the methods of heat transfer within a power boiler • Identify and describe the different types of power boilers • Identify and describe the key components of the power boiler • Differentiate between the three most common power boiler pressure component arrangements: “A,” “D,” and “O.” • Identify and describe different power boiler designs based on fuel-type • Describe typical maintenance considerations for power boilers

Specs

Course Level Intermediate
Languages English, Portuguese, French, Polish, Russian
Compatibility Audio, Video
Based on: Industry Standards and Best Practices

Author

Vector Solutions

With over two decades of experience designing advanced 3D animated courseware and developing our proprietary learning management software, we pride ourselves by having developed over 1,000 safety and operations training modules, which have helped train over 250,000 workers worldwide. Our highly experienced team provides the industry with a simple and high-quality means of training their workforce. Whether your team consists of 25 people or an enterprise with thousands, we’re here to help.

Key Questions

What is a power boiler?
Power boilers take the chemical energy stored in fuel, convert it to heat energy in the combustion process, and transfer that heat energy to water to produce steam. The transfer of energy from combustion gases to the water and steam is called heat transfer.

What are three methods of heat transfer in a power boiler?
Radiation, convection, and convention.

What are two types of power boilers?
Fire tube boilers and water tube boilers.

What are common designs for the pressure components of power boilers?
A, D, and O.

Sample Video Transcript

The major components of a high-pressure water tube power boiler are the furnace, which is the area of the boiler where combustion of the fuel takes place. The steam drum is the upper header to which the tubes are connected. Water enters through this drum, and steam generated in the boiler is collected there. The mud drum is the bottom header connected to the tubes. Its purpose is to collect any solids that settle out of the water, and to allow circulation of water and steam through the tubes. Depending on the boiler design, there may be more than one lower header. The generating tube bank produces the high-pressure steam at saturation temperature, and the super heater adds more temperature to the steam that is produced in the boiler.

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